AUSTIN (March 21, 2013) – Keep Texas Connected, an alliance of local government officials, emergency first responders, educational institutions, healthcare providers, industry leaders and private citizens, today issued the following statement after a bipartisan, solid majority of state House members voted to preserve funding for Universal Service programs in the Public Utilities Commission Sunset Bill:

“Keep Texas Connected commends the Texas House of Representatives for recognizing that our state needs reliable, affordable wireline telecommunications infrastructure to support landline phones, Internet access and cell tower effectiveness.

“The economic prosperity of the entire state, not just rural Texas depends on it. And every rural Texan, regardless of where they live or work deserves a robust telecommunications network.”

Editor’s Note: Keep Texas Connected is not affiliated with Connected Nation, Inc. nor with the program Connected Texas.

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About Keep Texas Connected

Through statewide collaboration with key stakeholders, Keep Texas Connected is an alliance of local government officials, emergency first responders, educational institutions, healthcare providers, industry leaders and private citizens who are dedicated to ensuring that every Texan has access to an affordable, reliable, and high-quality telecommunications network. For more information, visit the coalition Web site at www.keeptexasconnected.org.